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The Independent
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Trump's military parade was more of a kitsch day out than a dictator's display
S ome feared that Donald Trump's military parade would bring a touch of North Korea to the nation's capital. The sight of tanks rolling into the city in the same week the president deployed the troops to quell protests and delivered a deeply political speech to soldiers at Fort Bragg did little to alleviate those fears. But when the day came, it was something closer to a medium-sized town's July 4th celebration. There were families, picnics, bad weather and small crowds. There were no 20-foot missiles or long lines of intimidating military hardware. The sparse crowds that did turn out were instead treated to a history lesson about the U.S. Army to celebrate its 250th birthday (it also happened, by pure coincidence, to be Trump's 79th birthday). Some people feared the Washington, D.C., military parade would feel like something from North Korea. Instead it felt like a July 4 event. (EPA) As a regiment or unit would parade by, a voiceover told the crowd its history, and that same booming voice would intermittently follow up with a word for a sponsor. 'With thanks to our sponsor, Lockheed Martin,' the voice said after a touching tribute to the 1st Cavalry Division. Next, the same voice thanked the crypto platform Coinbase. Somewhere in the field behind, an energy drink company co-owned by Dana White, a friend of the president, was handing out free cans with the words 'screamin' freedom' on the front. People watch a military parade commemorating the Army's 250th anniversary. The weather kept some of the crowd away from the event. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Visitors watch members of the military march by. The event coincided with President Donald Trump's birthday. (Getty Images) The darker military parades that have become synonymous with tyrannical regimes around the world don't take breaks for corporate sponsors, nor do they sell pretzels, or have cooling tents. As Trump's favorite crooner Lee Greenwood took to the stage at sundown to sing 'God Bless the U.S.A,' the event took on a feel closer to Las Vegas than Pyongyang. More kitsch than threatening. But this event was more political than many Americans will be comfortable with. And even those who couldn't criticize the occasion doubted Trump's motives. 'This is the kind of thing that Stalin would have done. This is the kind of thing North Korea does. It sickens me that we're putting on this display just for one man's ego,' said Donna Stork, 73, who came from Hagerstown, Maryland, to protest. 'I have no problems with the Army having a celebration,' she said. 'What I do have a problem with is the implication that this is more about Trump and military might than it is about the 250th anniversary of people who fought and died for our country.' Members of the U.S. Army participated in the 250th birthday parade - which featured messages from corporate sponsors. (Getty Images) Trump and his wife, Melania, watch the fireworks that ended the parade. (POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Paul Scott, a Trump supporter who came from Dallas with his wife to watch the parade, did not appreciate the comparisons. 'You're a part of the tired media. We are exhausted with you,' he said. 'Go yell at everybody you want to yell at. We love hearing that you personally think that Donald Trump is North Korea's dictator. You're insane, not me.' Tanks, armored personnel carriers and artillery rumbled down Constitution Avenue, a rare sight in the U.S., which has rarely in modern history had to prove its military strength to anyone. Trump's parade was planned long ago, but it happened to come at the end of an eventful week in which the president trampled norms and tested laws governing his control of the U.S. military. He dispatched troops to Los Angeles to handle relatively minor protests and threatened to do the same to cities across the country. He gave a deeply politicized speech to soldiers at Fort Bragg, during which he criticized political opponents to the cheers of the enlisted behind him. After all that, Saturday's parade seemed like a relatively tame use of the world's most powerful military force. For many, though, especially veterans, it was a chance to pay tribute to their fallen comrades and to receive thanks for their own service. 'I retired from the Army 30 years ago and I came to honor all the people that came before me, all the friends that I've lost,' said Van Beal, 70, who first joined the Army in 1978, 'and just to be here because it's only going to be one 250th, so it's a wonderful opportunity.'
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Despite growing anger, Trump marches on with his projections of power
There was nothing wrong with the idea that America might want a 250th anniversary celebration of the US Army. The celebration that US President Donald Trump finally got after pushing for it since his first term could have been billed as a front-running event connected to the country's 250th birthday, since we are almost one year away from that significant date. Advertisement And for those longing for a break from the blood sport that US politics has become, the event did not end up as Trumpian as might have been expected. Although the president was positioned between two tanks on his reviewing stand – a set piece that made him appear as the central figure – he still managed to get through his speech without repeating election lies or lashing out at his political enemies . A gold star for him. Beginning with a historically costumed fife and drum corps and then continuing through the eras of battle machinery, the presentation did not veer into political territory unless you were watching on Fox News, where Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth offered commentary including: 'The haters can hate. Let them. We don't care.' The Trump-friendly Newsmax offered up commentary that would make North Korean leader Kim Jong-un blush. Meanwhile, major broadcast media such as CNN toggled between images of the parade and the millions of Americans at 'No Kings' demonstrations that proceeded from Bucksport, Maine to Los Angeles, where police used tear gas and flash bangs to disperse protesters. The nationwide demonstrations knocked the parade off the top headlines. A shooting during a march in Salt Lake City that left one person critically injured pushed Trump's event further below the fold. Advertisement The president must have known in the run-up to the parade how large and widespread the protests against him were shaping up to be. If he didn't, the political assassination of Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, which Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called an act of 'targeted political violence', should have given him the message that the nation needed a salve.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Melania Appears to Doze Off During Trump's Birthday Military Parade
As President Donald Trump's birthday parade kicked off to sparse crowds and muted enthusiasm, all eyes were on those in Trump's inner circle who managed to make an appearance (those who didn't included his daughter Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner). Commenters on social media were quick to note that at several points throughout the parade, First Lady Melania Trump appeared to almost be dozing off, or at least resting her eyes at multiple intervals. At the very least, she looked incredibly bored, as did Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Seated between them, Trump looked disappointed or disconcerted—whatever he was feeling, the sour expression on his face suggested it was not an overly positive emotion. Nearby on the stage, cameras caught Secretary of State Marco Rubio yawning as he leaned back in his chair while watching the $45 million proceedings go by. Attendees in the crowd were likely incredibly bored, too. As The New York Times reported, there were no speakers along the parade route, resulting in videos where the parade is so quiet all that can be heard is the squeaking of tanks as they roll down the street. As a result of the lack of speakers, attendees began leaving soon after the parade ended, meaning many missed Trump's speech, which the Times noted was on the shorter side. In his brief speech, Trump defended the decision to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the establishment of the United States Army, telling the crowd, 'Every other country celebrates their victories. It's about time America did, too.'
Washington Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Was Trump's military parade a success?
Warning: This graphic requires JavaScript. for the best experience. You're reading the Prompt 2025 newsletter. Sign up to get it in your inbox. When I interviewed President Donald Trump a few days before his 2017 inauguration, I asked how he would convince America it is 'great again.' He told me: 'We're going to display our military. That military may come marching down Pennsylvania Avenue. That military may be flying over New York City and Washington, D.C., for parades.' On Saturday, he put on that parade, which celebrated the U.S. Army's 250th birthday and is expected to cost taxpayers as much as $45 million. Did it send the message that Trump intended? I'm joined by my colleagues Molly Roberts and Erik Wemple to discuss the spectacle. — Karen Tumulty, columnist 💬 💬 💬 Karen Tumulty Erik, you were at the parade. How was it? What were the crowds like? On TV, it actually seemed sort of subdued, not the spectacle we were given to expect. Erik Wemple I had a blast just interviewing people. They were incredibly open, though one guy gave me quite the brush off when he learned that I was with The Post. But your impression was correct, imo. Molly Roberts Should have said you were with One America News. Erik Well! It's hard to predict their media allegiances. One Trump supporter told me he'd just listened to 'The Daily' by the New York Times. Molly Yeah, it was hard to tell on TV whether people were there to celebrate Trump or the Army — obviously a big subject of debate re: the purpose of this whole thing, leading up to it. (I suppose I should be charitable and say the answer can be 'both'!) Story continues below advertisement Advertisement Karen The parade struck me as a pretty effective recruiting tool. And if you weren't listening to Fox News — as I was for a bit — not really all that much about the Birthday Boy. Molly LOL yeah, I was watching Fox too, and I believe one commentator insisted it was the best way $45 million could be spent when it comes to recruiting. Unsure how you'd test that claim, but … Erik Let's construct a data model! Karen My dad was career Air Force, and I spent much of my childhood on bases, so I gotta admit: I love a flyover. Molly Honestly, I didn't hate the history lesson either. I expected a lot more fanfare and a lot fewer facts. Erik From where I was stationed, I didn't get the history lesson. There was a huge throng waiting to filter through security checkpoints and many people were still waiting well after it had started. Molly Perhaps it was just Fox generously providing it, but I read some reporting that some of the info was being broadcast over loudspeakers as well. Loads of stuff about what conflicts a given regiment had been deployed to. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement Karen Let's talk about the context: Trump is trying to keep the military out of overseas engagements, even as he is using our troops on U.S. soil to subdue protests. So, much of the parade was about weapons. Molly Yes, totally. It's hard not to view tanks rolling down the street a little differently when you're worried about violence breaking out in Los Angeles. Erik 100 percent. Karen Meanwhile, across the country on Saturday we saw 'No Kings' protests in practically every city and town. How much of an impression will those make? Molly I would hope that people realize the parade celebrated an Army that helped liberate this country from the tyranny of an overreaching executive! And then see that the protests are about a similar problem. Karen I was struck by the fact that so many of the 'No Kings' protesters were carrying American flags — clearly trying to wrest that patriotic imagery back from the MAGA movement. Erik Earlier this year, there was an idea in the media that the resistance was dead or faltering. It wasn't, as these recent protests have shown. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement Karen So do we think this parade really sent the message that Trump had hoped? Molly I guess it depends on what message he hoped for! If you take what he said to you all those years ago at face value, in my view the parade did better than I'd expected — the display itself really did seem to be about the U.S. Army, not the special birthday boy. Erik Following on that point from Molly: You just cannot overestimate how many people in this country have connections of one sort or another to the military. Either they served or their parents did or they worked as a contractor. Molly Yeah, it's my lifetime in the liberal D.C. bubble that has blinded me to the extent of people's connection to, and affection for, the military! So maybe that's what Trump hoped for … to teach people like me a little something about the country. 🤣 Karen And yet, so few of us actually serve these days in our all-volunteer military. Molly But, to an extent, I worry Trump wanted to demonstrate, by tying the event to his birthday and with all that standing up and saluting from his post, that all this military might is at his disposal. Again, maybe I should be more charitable: He also could have been trying to demonstrate that military might to the rest of the world, as a deterrent or a negotiating card. Karen Back to that interview, Trump told me that he would 'display our military' to convince the country that it was 'great again.' If that was the measure, I think it does help remind us that we are a country of great people, some of whom are willing to put their own lives on the line for the rest of us. Molly Maybe it helped convince people that America is great … but, as usual with Trump, I'm stuck on the 'again' part. Erik Well we do pay a lot for it! Remember when Madeleine Albright asked Colin Powell why we have such a great and expensive military if we don't use it? Perhaps Powell should have said simply that we could have a parade! Molly Yes, as long as we're spending billions on defense, what's another $45 million to get those boys (and girls!) out of their barracks and in front of the American people? Story continues below advertisement Advertisement Karen At any rate, Trump has scratched that itch. He's had his parade. But his biggest tests as commander in chief are looming right ahead of him. Molly Did he get that nifty birthday flag from the parachuting Golden Knights, by the way? May have missed that part. But with a souvenir like that, I think he can go home. No need for a third term.
Sky News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News
Washington parade celebrates US Army's 250th anniversary on Donald Trump's 79th birthday
Sunday 15 June 2025 07:24, UK Why you can trust Sky News A rare military parade marking the US Army's 250th anniversary has taken place in Washington DC - on Donald Trump's 79th birthday. The event coincided with hundreds of so-called "No Kings" protests against the Trump administration in towns and cities across the US. Mr Trump said the patriotic spectacle in the capital was going to be a "big day" and admitted: "We want to show off a little bit." It was the first time tanks had rolled through the streets of Washington in more than 30 years. 3:12 Officials estimated 200,000 people could turn out to see around 6,600 soldiers, 150 vehicles, 50 aircraft and numerous artillery pieces. However, far fewer people appeared to be there - possibly due to the poor weather. The event was also criticised by some as expensive and not in the American tradition. Mr Trump watched alongside the first lady and defence secretary as troops and military hardware filed past, accompanied at times by up-tempo rock music. The event started half an hour early due to forecasted heavy rain, with cloud forcing the cancellation of a flypast by fighter jets. Helicopters such as Apaches, Chinooks and Black Hawks still took part however. Mr Trump had warned that any protesters who interfered would "be met with very big force". Military parachutists from the Golden Knights swooped in at the start of the programme, and some soldiers paraded in historic uniforms, complete with horses and wagons. Vehicles from the Second World War and Vietnam War also took part. Washington fireworks as missiles fall in Israel and Iran Mark Stone US correspondent @Stone_SkyNews It was the marking of a birthday that has riled so many across this country. All-American or un-American? Jingoistic or patriotic? Among the crowd in the heart of Washington it felt like a celebration, and it was certainly a show. The United States was born 249 years ago this year. The Continental Army was born a year earlier to deliver a new country from British rule. This is the 250th year of the US Army. There was a salute to the president, of course, but as commander-in-chief, not a nod to his birthday. From General Washington's soldiers, the show was a journey through the centuries – the War of Independence, World Wars and America's wars: Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan. And there was a somewhat unsettling glimpse into the future - drones and robo-dogs passing down Constitution Avenue. For all the talk of this being a political stunt by Donald Trump to celebrate his birthday, it didn't feel like that among the crowds. From those we spoke to, all were there to celebrate the birthday of the army, not the president. Sure, many - maybe most - there love him, but they were there for the Army. But it's the timing, the context beyond the parade, which had shifted the framing of this day. It generated a stark real time split screen, because as the soldiers were marching in Washington, volleys of tear gas were being fired at protesters in Los Angeles. The juxtaposition came at the end of a week when the president deployed the military on America's streets against protesters. It was the only major clash despite over a thousand protests with tens of thousands in towns and cities across the country. "No Kings" was the tag for the biggest nationwide movement of people against what they see as the growing authoritarianism of Donald Trump since he became president again. Back at the parade, it wasn't the moment to mention the division. The president's speech was uncharacteristically free of politics. He focused on what was in front of him. "Every other country celebrates their victories. It's about time America did too. That's what we're doing tonight," he said. Nor did he make any mention of the other stark split-screen. As the Washington show went on, Israel's largest city, Tel Aviv, was under attack. The cameras in Washington caught Trump's Middle East envoy with his eyes on his phone not the parade. And Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, looked like his mind was elsewhere. The night in Washington ended with fireworks. In Israeli and Iranian towns and cities the bangs were from missiles. Mr Trump stood and saluted many of the passing soldiers - and even personally swore in some troops. The US leader is said to have got the idea after being impressed with France's Bastille Day celebrations during a visit in 2017. Metal plates were put down on some of Washington's streets to protect them against the heaviest tanks - especially the 60-ton M1 Abrams. Even so, the US Army set aside several million dollars in case of any damage. The last time such a major display took place in the US was 1991, when tanks and troops paraded to celebrate the ousting of Saddam Hussein's army from Kuwait. Read more from Sky News: Why parade is so controversial Manhunt after US politician and husband shot dead Mr Trump paid tribute to the soldiers, saying they "made all Americans very proud" and it was "about time" America publicly celebrated its military. He was joined on the podium by the first lady and presented with the US flag by one of the Golden Knights parachutists. Fireworks then lit up the sky behind the iconic Washington Monument to bring things to a close. Critics had hit out at the event and said it was something more associated with dictatorial regimes such as Russia or North Korea. An estimated cost as high as $45m (£33.33m) also raised eyebrows given Mr Trump's efforts to slash the budget of many federal departments. Among the critics was California governor Gavin Newsom, who has been trading barbs with the president since the outbreak of riots in LA. He accused the president of forcing troops "to put on a vulgar display to celebrate his birthday, just as other failed dictators have done in the past". The show of military might came as more than 1,500 protests against the Trump administration, organised under the slogan "No Kings", were scheduled to take place across the US on Saturday. Los Angeles was the scene of one demonstration, with police firing tear gas to disperse people after the formal protest ended. Tension is high in America's second-biggest city after recent raids by immigration officers sparked unrest this week. Other large demos happened on Saturday in San Diego, Atlanta, Denver, Portland and Chicago - where police estimated a crowd of about 15,000 people with just one arrest "No Kings" organisers claimed 200,000 had turned out in New York alone and millions across the country. The name of the protests comes from the accusation that Mr Trump acts more like an authoritarian monarch than a democratically elected head of state. Related Topics Donald Trump
